TYLER – The UT Tyler softball team has moved its Irwin Classic opener against Millikin to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday due to weather concerns and also the Patriot athletic program hosting Millikin and LeTourneau on Sunday at Suddenlink Field.

Mary Irwin will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Patriots take on the Big Blue (2-0) who will be travelling down from Ohio to play UT Tyler and LeTourneau before returning home to Illinois. The LeTourneau and Millikin game was originally scheduled to be played on Monday in Longview but has been moved to Tyler for a neutral-field doubleheader starting at 12 p.m. on Sunday.

The UT Tyler softball team will play at Mary Hardin-Baylor on Thursday and Friday before returning home to host the Big Blue on Saturday which is Homecoming for UT Tyler. The day will be full of activites at the Irwin Complex, including a free concert by Jason Boland at 11:30 a.m. just beyond the right-field softball fences and a baseball doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. at Irwin Field.

UT Tyler will continue the Irwin Classic against St. Catherine on Sunday, March 25 and Mount Saint Mary on Tuesday, March, 27. The tournament will also feature UMHB who will play St. Catherine in neutral field games at Suddenlink Field. St. Catherine is coming off a season where it won 38 games and advanced to Oklahoma City, while Mount Saint Mary and Millikin both won their conference championships last season.

“We are excited to be able to add such high-quality teams from around the country to our schedule,” UT Tyler coach Mike Reed said. “Thanks to Bob and Mary Irwin will be able to host ranked teams from New York, Illinois, and Minnesota coming to our campus to play in the Irwin Classic.”